A New Hampshire woman is facing kidnapping charges after police said she grabbed a baby girl from the backseat of a vehicle

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Updated: 12:24 PM CDT Jul 25, 2017

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WEBVTT HE WASTRYING TO HELP THE ALLEGEDSUSPECT WHEN SHE TURNED ON HISSUSPECT.A SCARY SITUATION FOR AROCHESTER MAN AS HIS DAUGHTER ISPULLED FROM THE BACKSEAT OF HISCAR BY A STRANGER.HE WAS DRIVING DOWN WASHINGTONSTREET SATURDAY MORNING WITH HISDAUGHTER WHEN HE CAME ACROSSTHIS WOMAN, JOANNE SHAW OFCHRONIC -- OF GONIC WALKING INTHE ROAD.THE FATHER ASKED HER IF SHENEEDED A RIDE.SHE ANSWERED YES.A FEW MOMENTS AFTER TAKING OFF-- >> SHE STARTED TO UNBUCKLE THECHILD IN THE BACKSEAT.TIM: A STRUGGLE BEGAN BETWEENTHE FATHER AND THE SUSPECT.>> HE WAS TRYING TO STOP HER ANDTRYING TO PULL OVER.CHERISE: THE SUSPECT THENGRABBED THE PARTIES.>> WHEN THE CAR CAME TO THESTOP.TIM: THE GIRL'S FATHER RAN AFTERTHE SUSPECT AND WAS ABLE TOCATCH UP TO HER.THAT IS WHEN THE SUSPECT BEGANTO PUNCH HIM.POLICE SAY SHE STRUGGLED WITHRESPONDING OFFICERS BEFORE SHEWAS ARRESTED.THE INCIDENT HAS WASHINGTONSTREET RESIDENTS ON EDGE.>> I MAKE SURE THE KIDS STAY INTHE BACK WHERE THEY BELONG.AND MURRAY -- AND MAKE SURETHERE IS AN ADULT WITH THEM.TIM: ROCHESTER POLICE USING THESITUATION AS REMINDER TORESIDENTS NOT TO PICK UP PEOPLEON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THATTHEY MAY NOT KNOW.IF THE PERSON LOOKS LIKE THEY

Hitchhiker accused of kidnapping infant girl from moving car

A New Hampshire woman is facing kidnapping charges after police said she grabbed a baby girl from the backseat of a vehicle

A New Hampshire woman is facing kidnapping charges after police said she grabbed a baby girl from the backseat of a vehicle.

Police said a 52-year-old man was driving down the road in Rochester Saturday morning with his 1-year-old daughter when he came across Joanne Shaw walking in the road.

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"A male driver had stopped to pick up a female passenger who looked like she was in need,” said Capt. Jason Thomas, of Rochester police.

The man asked Shaw if she needed a ride. She answered yes and got into the front passenger seat.

Within moments, things started to go wrong.

“She started unbuckling the 21-month-old in the backseat, saying she was going to take the child," Thomas said.

A struggle began between Shaw and the man.

"As you can imagine, him trying to stop this lady from taking his daughter while also trying to pull over,” Thomas said.

Police said Shaw then grabbed for the car keys and broke the key in half.

"So when the car actually came to a stop, she was actually able to unbuckle the 21-month-old and exit the vehicle with the child,” Thomas said.

The girl's father ran after Shaw and was able to catch up to her.

Police said that's when Shaw started punching him.

"He's OK,” Thomas said. “Just minor, minor injuries to him."

Police said Shaw struggled with responding officers before she was eventually arrested.

The incident has Washington Street residents on edge.

"Make sure the kids stay out back where they belong, not run around the side,” said Tina Wilcox. “Make sure there is an adult with them everywhere, because it's kind of scary.”

Rochester police are using this situation to advise people to avoid picking someone up they may not know, and that if it appears someone may be in need of assistance, the safest thing to do is call police.

According to court paperwork, Shaw has a history of mental health issues.